A Hollywood Tale: From Screenplay to Podcast to...

(Disclosure:  This post is a shameless plug to ask you to consider subscribing to my new podcast, Wunderkind! and, if you are so inclined, help me to spread the word about it.  Wunderkind! is the podcast of an original comic-adventure screenplay, written and performed by me.)

If you've enjoyed my posts here at over the years, I'd greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about my new fiction podcast, Wunderkind!  Since it was originally written for the screen, I am performing Wunderkind! as a screenplay and generally retain the protocols of a screenplay format, with INT. and EXT. scene settings, camera angles, dialogue directions, etc. (a choice inspired by author and podcaster Mark Yoshimoto Nemcoff.)  So far the feedback on the format has been very positive, with most listeners agreeing that the screen instructions quickly fade away and help shape the visualization of the story.  I have published 4 episodes so far, which is close to half-way through the story. If you listen and enjoy Wunderkind! please consider leaving a review on iTunes, and feel free to leave me a comment at www.wunderkindpodcast.com.  I am having a lot of fun recording Wunderkind! and I hope you'll enjoy listening.  Thanks!

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY... 

Wunderkind! was the first screenplay I ever wrote... I can still remember the day I had the idea for it, walking down Broadway, breathing in the energy of the street, the vibe that is so uniquely New York, alone in a crowd in the heart of Times Square, day dreaming about the industry I loved. At the time I had just left a 5-year stint at an independent film & TV distribution company, determined to branch out on my own...

Since then, I've had an illustrious ride through the worlds of entertainment and technology, but I've never lost my love for words and stories. Along the way I've written other screenplays and television scripts. A few have been sold and some even made their way onto screens large and small. But like many of us, I've always had a sweet spot for my first...

I think everyone who loves the movies at one time or another dreams of being a Wunderkind... the darling of Hollywood, the Steven Spielberg... the J.J. Abrams... maybe you're next?

I hope you enjoy this story of one kid's Tinseltown dream, and the unusual way it gets fulfilled...

Photo Credit: © Andy - Fotolia.com

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Feeling Full After A Half-Marathon

There is something incredibly human about running.  According to many articles, books and talks, we are made for running.  Our erect biped being makes running as natural for homo sapiens as flying is for birds.  We used to run as a tribe, chasing our prey over vast distances until it collapsed from exhaustion and the running man conquered the savage beast without a blow. Whole villages ran to follow the hunters to the fallen spoil.  Perhaps that is why I found running in a race to be such a deeply satisfying experience, and a deeply emotional one...it is in our DNA...

Back To Basics

Running is so simple.  Put one foot in front of the other.  Again, and again and again. You don't need any special equipment... just the shoes on your feet (unless you opt for barefoot running).  You don't need to belong to a gym or a club, or take lessons, or hire a trainer.  You just need to be human, and be willing to move...

Alone In The Crowd

I recently ran in my first race, a half-marathon, and it was an experience I will always remember, and look forward to repeating.  The camaraderie of strangers, coming together for a common, yet individual goal is the embodiment of inspiration.  The human race was represented in the race by every imaginable shape, size, ethnicity and age.  So many different people gathered for such a singular goal - to run 13.1 miles.  Each runner fully aware that everyone of us is a winner the moment we cross the finish line, whether the first or the last to do so...

The support of strangers as you pass them and as they pass you is remarkable, matched only by the support of the volunteers at the water stations and the passing cars honking their support and the passersby who just happened along as a race crossed their path.   Running is such a personal pursuit - you and your body and your thoughts - yet running in a race is such a communal feeling at the same time.  You are truly one with yourself and one with the crowd - an amazing, empowering, combination. I was overwhelmed by emotion on more than one occasion as I plodded forth to run, non-stop, farther than I ever had before.

If I Can, YOU Can!

Still I bit winded, in the video below I share my initial thoughts after running in the Miami Halloween Half-Marathon. Inspired by my son, I began my running journey in February, first by running a minute, then walking a minute for 3 to 4 miles... rinse, repeat. Over weeks and months I gradually increased the time running, until I was running the entire 3-4 miles non-stop. Then it was a matter of slowly and surely increasing my distance...

A year ago I never dreamed I could run 4 miles, let alone 13.1. Any goal is possible if you take it step by step, in smaller, attainable bites. If I can become a runner, so can you!!! If I can become a runner, I can probably do anything I set my mind to... and so can you!